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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Late Bloomer

I know I've been blogging a lot about my friend's visit to Chicago but I promise this will be the last one of the series...for now. I just thought I would blog about her parting gift for me to show her how much I really appreciated both the gift itself and her gesture. Thanks again, PM!

When we had our bonding day last week, we went to a mall and just leisurely walked around while talking of course. We window shopped a lot, but she also ended up with a few purchases by the end of the day, one of which was a necklace for me. She first suggested it, then I walked around to look for my other options, but in the end, I ended up picking her choice since it really was the style I wanted. It's not too flashy, a bit neutral in color but not boring. It was chunky enough but still looked light and casual. Take a look...

It was funny how PM agreed with me when I said that it's just now, at my age, that I'm getting more into fashion and the girly stuff. I get attracted to heels now, rather than just automatically zooming in on sneakers or some masculine-looking shoes. I wear skirts and skorts without caring about my legs being far from perfect and slim. I've learnt to wear nail polish and also experiment with colors I would have automatically shied away from in my 20's. PM affirmed that in college or even in our 20's I was never into 'fixing' myself, and yet now, I love lip glosses and lipsticks and yes, even mascara!

Now that I'm in my late 30's, I'm all about accessories and have also gotten bolder with regard to experimenting with different clothes styles. Here are a few of my favorites...

Don't get me wrong. Believe that I don't spend a lot of money on accessories and fashion, in general. I'm still the old practical gal that my parents raised and I still believe in comfort and will probably forever define my style as 'sporty chic'. However, it's probably because I've finally started to care less about what others think which makes me feel more free to experiment. It could also be that living in a place where the climate is much cooler compared to the Philippines (and Metro Manila, specifically) affords me more style options. Add to that the fact that it's cheaper and easier for me to be fashionable here than in the Philippines simply because my size here is closer to average than back home. There are more options for me here compared to the Philippine market where most girls are very petite.

It could really be all those things that explain why I'm more of a 'fashionista' now than before. However, the bottom line is that I'm happier now in my own skin. I still have a few issues to work on (body image issues are VERY difficult to tackle), but at least I acknowledge more of them now and recognize them as things I can continue to work on. Let's just hope it doesn't take me yet another 30+ years to heal them. On the very bright side though, if my getting older translates to gaining more self-love, confidence and an increased sense of adventure, then I say, 'BRING...IT...ON!!"

Are there any other late bloomers out there?...and how has your fashion sense or style changed through the years?

Hi Joy. Well, obviously, i myself is a late bloomer too about a lot of things, fashion (too, to name 1), so on and so forth ;) I am in my 40's and yet still struggling w/ how fashionable I must look w/ friends around who aren't as oldie as I could be, but mind them, there's no prob w/ me as to how to look younger w/o much effort on my part ;) (and I know it runs in our genes). I love your accessories (blingblings?). What about dresses? or maybe i overlooked? Keep this up!

joy, i think it's a combo of self confidence and environment. like what you said, the climate is more comfy and i guess people here are more adventurous when it comes to style. being fashionable is more affordable plus when you're at a certain age, you acquire the 'just do it' attitude.

Hi Joy. Well, obviously, i myself is a late bloomer too about a lot of things, fashion (too, to name 1), so on and so forth ;) I am in my 40's and yet still struggling w/ how fashionable I must look w/ friends around who aren't as oldie as I could be, but mind them, there's no prob w/ me as to how to look younger w/o much effort on my part ;) (and I know it runs in our genes). I love your accessories (blingblings?). What about dresses? or maybe i overlooked? Keep this up!

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Joy Page Manuel

I'm a FORMER academic & researcher; CURRENTLY a blogging mom; ASPIRING astrophysicist, gazillionaire philanthropist, and goddess; and undoubtedly a PERPETUAL writer, dreamer, hopeless romantic and overanalyzer. Welcome to Catharsis! You can click here if you want to learn more about me and this site. I'm looking forward to connecting with you and exploring our angst together!